• Age: 7 to 10
• Grade: 2 to 5
• Reading age: 7 to 10

All things disgusting are featured in this weird and wonderful exploration of the grossest of the gross in the animal kingdom. (Barf bag not included!)

Snot. Vomit. Spit. Poop. Everyone knows these are gross, right? Well, for some animals, they're crucial ingredients for survival! This book describes more than 30 of these animals --- the grossest of the gross --- and explores how their habits, as revolting as they might be, help them thrive. From dung beetles who live for feces, to hagfish who cover themselves in gooey slime to ward off predators, to bullfrogs who can puke up their entire stomachs for cleaning purposes, these animals have novel adaptations that work well for them. It's all so icky. And so awfully interesting!

A definite kid pick, the strange-but-true gross factor of this book will appeal to readers at every aptitude level. It's also sure to inspire curiosity about these unusual creatures --- many of which will be new to most readers --- and about life science in general. In her signature style, Claire Eamer, an award-winning children's science writer, has fun with the yuck factor without sacrificing credibility or accuracy of the information. Organized into seven four-page sections, the playful, eye-catching design, with lots of detailed photos, keeps the interest level high on every spread. There are links here to life science topics, including animals and the diversity of living things. Endmatter includes a glossary, selected sources and an index.

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Claire Eamer was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She worked as a radio copywriter, a reporter for newspapers and radio, a trade book editor and a university instructor. Currently, she spends much of her time writing fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults. After living in Whitehorse, Yukon, for many years, Claire now lives on Gabriola Island in British Columbia. She is fascinated by science and natural history, and by the habitats that surround her.

Claire Eamer's profile page

Put this on your middle-grade menu.

Kirkus Reviews

... [a] well-organized offering

Horn Book

There is so much to learn ... so much more to arouse your curiosity.

CM Magazine